Oil-cloth-printing machine.



No. 804,640. PATENTED Nov. 14, 190.5.

, W. H. WALDRON.

OIL GLGTH PPJNTING MACHINE..

APPLIUATION FILED DEG. 8. 1904.

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INVENTOI? No.. 804,640. PATENTED NOV. 14, 1905. W. H. WALDRON.

OIL CLOTH PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED mso. 1904.

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PATENTED NOV. 14, 1905.

W. H. WALDRON. OIL CLOTH PRINTING MAGHNE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 8, 1904.

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ATTORNEYS OEE l r ILLIAM HUBELI VALDRON, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW- JERSEY, AS-

SIGNOR T O JOHN I/VALDRON COMPANY, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW

JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1905.

Application filedDecember 8,1904. Serial No. 236.011.

To t/Z 'wh/0711l it 111,151/ concern.-

Ie it known that I, WILLIAM IIUBELI WALnnoN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New Brunswick, in the county of Middlesex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Oil- Cloth- Printing Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to machines for imprinting designs in various colors uponv oilcloths and other fabrics by the use of intermittently-reciprocating printing-blocks; and the object of the invention is to provide a new and improved machine for printing oilcloth arranged to insure a positive locking of the intermittent driving mechanism for the color-trough, to cause an easy driving and locking of the said mechanism without shock or jar, to allow convenient adjustment or detachment of the printing-blocks, and to reduce the weight of the color-trough to a minimuni.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improvement. Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-section of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of part of one of the printing-blocks and its support, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional elevation of one of the color-troughs.

On the main frame A of the oil-cloth-printing machine is held a table B, over which is intermittently moved the oil-cloth or other fabric C to be printed Aby the use of a series of printing-blocks D, (one only being shown in the drawings,) reciprocatingintermittently in a vertical directionl and supplied with color by inking-rolls E, mounted to turn in colortroughs E, adapted to travel intermittently forward and backward on the frame A at the time the printing-blocks are in a raised resting position, so that the inking-rolls E ink the faces of the said blocks, the several colortroughs being linked together in the usual manner to move in unison.

The several devices of the machine so far described are those of the ordinary oil-clothprinting machines now generally in use.

The color-troughs are usually very heavy, and it requires considerable force to properly start the troughs on their travel, and when the machine is in operation the momentum acquired by the color-troughs in their rapid forward-and-backward motion. tends to carry the moving parts beyond their proper' posi.- tions.

In order to insure an easy starting and accurate stopping and locking of the colortroughs and to reduce their weight, the following arrangement is had: On one end of the main frame A is journ aled a transverselyextending main shaft G, provided with a suitable clutch-pulley G, connected by belt with other machinery for imparting a continuous rotary motion to the main shaft G. On the latter is secured a pinion G2 in mesh with an intermediate gear-wheel G3, secured on a shaft G4, journaled on the main frame A and carrying a pinion G5, in mesh with a gear-wheel G6, secured on a shaft II, journaled in suitable bearings on the main frame A and carrying on each end a mutilated gear-wheel I, adapted to mesh with. a mutilated. gear-wheel I', secured on a crank-shaft I2, journaled in suitable bearings on the main frame A. On each end of the crank-shaft I2 is secured a counterbalanced crank-arm J, connected by a link J with a rocking lever J2, fulcrumed at its lower end on the main frame A and connected at its upper free end by a link J3 with the first color-trough E, connected by a link JL with. the next color-trough, it being under stood that the several color-troughs of the series are connected with each other by links J, so that all the color-troughs move in unison.

The mutilated gear-wheel I is provided with a smooth segmental rim portion lll, adapted to fit alternately onto smooth. concave rim portions I and I, formed on'the mutilated gear-wheel I between the two sets of teeth thereof, as plainly illustrated in Fig. I. Now when the segmental rim portion l. is in mesh with the concave rim portion IA1 or I5 then the mutilated gear-wheel I is held against rotationthat is, the said portions I3 and I4 form a Geneva stop to allow rota- ICO tion of the mutilated gear-wheel I and its portion l2 without revolving the mutilated gear-wheel l until the teeth of the mutilated gear-wheel l move in mesh with the corresponding set of teeth on the mutilated gearwheel l. ln order to turn the mutilated gear-wheel l sufliciently to bring this correspondingset of teeth in mesh with the mutilated gear-wheel l, a friction-roller l is journaled on the mutilated gear-.vheel l, and this friction-roller is adapted to engage a projection or tooth I7 or l2, held on the smooth rim portion l'l or l5 of the mutilated gear-wheel l,

W'hen the machine is in operation, the rotary motion of the shaft G is transmitted to the shaft H by the gearing described, and the rotary motion of the shaft H causes the mutilated gear-wheel l to rotate in the direction of the arrow a', (see Fig. 1,) so that the friction-roller IG finally moves in contact with the lug I7, thus turning the mutilated gearwheel l a suflicient distance to bring the teeth of the mutilated gear-wheel l in mesh with the teeth of the revolving mutilated gear-wheel l. When this takes place, a rotary motion is given to the mutilated gearwheel l and its shaft l2 in the direction of the arrow b', so that the crank-arms J impart a rocking motion to the levers J2 to move the color-troughs F from the left to the right under the corresponding printingblocks D, so that the inking-rolls E ink the printing-faces of the said printing-blocks D. When the troughs F have passed the printing-blocks D, then the teeth of the mutilated gear-wheels l and l move out of mesh with each other and the smooth rim portion l5 is moved in engagement with the smooth segmental rim portion l2, so that the mutilated gear-wheel l is held against further rotation for the time being-that is, until the friction-roller l comes in contact with the projection or tooth ls to move the mutilated gear-wheel l again in mesh with the mutilated gear-wheel l. Then this takes place, the mutilated gear-wheel l is again rotated, and with it the shaft l2, so that the crankarms J are actuated to impart a return travcling motion to the color-troughs F by the link-and-lever connection above described, it being understood that during the time the color-troughs F were at rest in their righthand side positions the printing-blocks D descended, made an impression, and returned to their uppermost positions previous to the return movement of the color-troughs F.

rl`he fabric C to be printed is attached at its side edges to pins K, projecting from endless belts or aprons K, provided at their inner sides with spaced lugs K2, traveling in suitable longitudinally-extending guideways A, formed on the main frame A, as plainly indicated in Fig. 2. The lugs K2 are adapted to engage notches K3, formed in the peripheral faces of drums K4, secured on a shaft L,

journaled in suitable bearings on the end of the main frame A, the said shaft L carrying star-wheelsL, having radial slots L2, adapted to be engaged successively by friction-rollers L2 and L, journaled on cam-wheels L5, secured on a shaft L, mounted to turn in suitable bearings on the main frame A. The shaft L(s is continually rotated from the shaft H, and for this purpose the latter is provided with a gear-wheel HQ in mesh with a gearwheel H2, secured on the shaft LG. Vhen the machine is in operation and the shaft Li is rotated, then the friction-rollers L3 L4 are alternately moved in mesh with successive radial slots L2 to impart an intermittent rotary motion to the star-wheels L', the shaft L, and the drums K", secured thereon, to impart an intermittent traveling motion to the aprons K and the fabric C temporarily attaehed thereto. The travel given to the fabric C corresponds to the width of a printingblock D, and the arrangement is such that the movement of the fabric C takes place at the time the printing-blocks D are moving vertically, the fabric being at rest during the time the impressions are made.l

Each printing-block D is removably supported by a frame N, mounted to slide with its side arms N vertically in suitable guideways A2, attached to the sides of the main frame A, and the lower ends of the side arms N of the frame N are provided with frictionrollers N2, traveling on the peripheral faces of cam-wheels O, secured on a transverselyextending shaft O, provided with a gearwheel O2, in mesh with a pinion O3, secured on a shaft C, journaled on the main frame A and provided with a gear-wheel O5, in mesh with the pinion G2 on the main drivingshaft Cr. The first shaft C (shown in Fig. l) is provided with the usual crank-arm O, connected by a link C7 with a similar crank-arm on the next following shaft CQ carrying similar mechanism to the one described for raising and lowering the frame N and the printingblock D. ln other words, the several raising and lowering devices for the printing-blocks D in the series are connected together, so that the several printing-blocks D are operated in unison.

ln order to quickly attach or detach the printing-blocks D to or from their frames il and to adjust the said printing-blocks to bring the same in proper position to insure an accurate impression, the following device is provided, special reference being had to Fig. 3. The frame N for supporting a printing-block D consists, essentially, of transversely-extending beams N 2, preferably in the form of channel-irons, bolted or otherwise secured at their ends to arms il", resting on the upper surfaces of heads N 5, formed on the upper ends of the side arms N, each arm N4 being engaged by a vertically-disposed bolt P, extending through an enlarged opening N 3, formed in the IOO arm N4 and the bolt screwing in the corresponding head N3. By loosening the bolt P the beams N3, with their heads N4, can be shifted transversely, and when the desired adjustment has been reached the bolts P are screwed up to securely fasten the arms N4 to the heads N 3 of the side arms N. Each bolt P is provided with a suitable washer P to cover the enlarged opening N3 in the corresponding arm N 4. Minute transverse adj ustment of the arm Nlv and beams N3 is had when the bolt P is loosened by a suitable screw P3, screwing in the outer end of the head N5 against the outer end of the corresponding arm N4. A longitudinal adjustment is given to the beams N3 and their arms N4 by the use of a block P3, fitting against the inner face of the head N5 and provided with a pin P4, extending into an elongated slot N7, formed in the arm N4. Screws P3, screwing in the head N 3, engage the ends of the block P3 to adjust the same longitudinally, it being understood that the corresponding pin P4, moving with its block P3, shifts. the arm N4 in a like direction until the desired position is reached.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the supporting-beams N3 for the printing-blocks D can be adjusted longitudinally and transversely on the head N3 of each side arm N to bring the block D in proper alinement relative to the fabric to be printed.

In order to attach each block D to the beams N3, a number of plates D are secured to the upper face of the block D, and on the side of each plate D is held a clamping-arm D2, engaged by a bolt D3, screwing in the plate D, the clamping-arm abutting with its outer end on the plate D and at its inner end on the lower flange of the corresponding beam N". A set-screw D5 screws in a lug D'1 on each side of the plate D, and this setscrew abuts against the outer edge of the lower flange of the corresponding beam N3, so that when the bolts D3 are loosened on both sides of each plate D then a longitudinal adjustment can vbe had by screwing up and unscrewing the set-screws D5 correspondingly. After the desired adjustment is had the bolts D3 are screwed up tightly to securely clamp the upper faces of the plates D to the under faces of theA transverse beams N3.

In order to reduce the weight of the colortroughs F to a minimum, each of the said color-troughs is provided with wheeled side frames F, connected with each other by connecting-plate F2, forming a support for a boX F3, preferably made of light sheet metal and containing the desired color. It is understood that heretofore the color beX formed an integral part of the wheeled frame and had to be made very heavy, owing to the great width of the machine; but by using light wheeled frames connected with each other and a separate light color-box it is evident that the color-trough is materially reduced in weight. The printing-roll E eX- tends into the color contained in the colorboX F3, and the side frames F of the colortrough support the usual adjustable doctors The gearing for rotating the hiking-roll E during the forward and backward travel of the color-trough is of usual construction, so that further detail description of the same is not deemed necessary.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. An oil-cloth-printing machine having a driving mechanism for the color-troughs, comprising a lever connected with the colortroughs, a crank-arm, a link connecting the crank-arm with the lever, and a drivinggear for the said device, comprising mutilated gear-wheels, of which one is driven and the other is attached. to the crank-shaft of the said crank-arm, the said mutilated gearwheels having interlocking smooth surfaces.

2. An oil-cloth-printing machine having a driving mechanism for the color-troughs, comprising a lever connected with the colortroughs, a counterbalanced crank-arm, a link coneeting the crank-arm with the lever, and a driving-gear for the said device, comprising mutilated gear-wheels, of which 011e is driven and the other is attached to the crank-shaft of the said crank-arm, one of the said mutilated gear-wheels having a smooth segmental portion and the other mutilated gear-wheel having smooth concave rim portions adapted to be alternately engaged by the said segmental rim portion.

3. An oi-cloth-printing machine having a driving mechanism for the color-troughs, comprising a lever connected with the colortroughs, a counterbalanced crank-arm, a link connecting the crank-arm with the lever, a driving-gear for the said device, comprising mutilated gear wheels, of which one is driven and the other is attached to the crank-shaft of the said crank-arm, the said mutilated `ear-wheels having interlocking smooth surfaces, and means on the said mutilated gear-wheels for moving them from an interlocked position into mesh with each other.

4l. An oil-cloth-printing machine having a driving mechanism for the color-troughs, comprising a lever and crank device connected with the color-troughs, a driving-gear for the said device, comprising mutilated gear-wheels, of which one is driven and the other is attached to the crank-shaft of the said lever and crank device, the said mutilated gear wheels smooth surfaces, and means for moving the said mutilated gear-wheels from an interloeked position into mesh with each other, the said means consisting of a friction-wheel IIO having interlocking on the driven mutilated gear-Wheel and a projection on each concave rim portion of the other mutilated gear-Wheel.

5. In an oil-cloth-printing machine, the combination with a color-trough, of a lever pivoted at one end and having its other end connected with the color-trough, a crankarm, a link connecting the crank-arm with the lever intermediate of its ends, a mutilated gear-wheel on the shaft of the crankarm and having two oppositely-disposed smooth concave portions in its rim, a second mutilated gear-Wheel havinga smooth segmental rim portion adapted to fit alternately into the concave portions of the lirstnamed mutilated gear-wheel, and means 'for operatingr the last-named mutilated gearu Wheel.

6. In an oil-clotliprinting machine, the combination With a color-trough, of a lever pivoted at one end, a connection between the free end of the lever and the color-trough,

a mutilated gear-Wheel having oppositelydisposed smooth concave portions in its rim, and a projection in each of the said concave portions, a second mutilated gear-Wheel having a smooth segmental rim portion adapted to fit alternatelT into the concave portions of the first-named mutilated gear- Wlieel and a friction-roller on said smooth rim portion, means for operating one ci the mutilated gear-Wheels, a counterhalanced crank-arm on the shaft of one of the said gear -Wheels, and a link ,connecting the crank-arm with the said lever intermediate of its ends.

ln testimonyT whereof .l have signed my name to this specification in the presence of tivo subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM HUBELl WALDRON.

litnesses E. A. lfv'ALDnoN, F. WT. vIEATH. 

